Source Details

{
    "source_type": "extension",
    "content_hash": "674e8f5c935c4a10feb9bd1ecfd5dc895c7aedc7830d6d948bbe46053c4667a1",
    "submitted_via": "chrome_extension",
    "extension_version": "1.0.18",
    "original_url": "https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/02\/11\/arts\/television\/james-van-der-beek-dad-kids.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20260214&instance_id=171097&nl=the-morning&regi_id=122976029&segment_id=215262&user_id=b25c5730c89e0c73f75709d8f1254337",
    "parsed_content": "James Van Der Beek (1977-2026)ObituaryLife in PicturesWhat to StreamProud Father of 6Fighting CancerAdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTSupported bySKIP ADVERTISEMENTIn His Second Act, James Van Der Beek Starred Online as a Proud PapaThe actor, who died on Wednesday, was most famous for \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek,\u201d but as he got older, he let fans into his real life as a father of six.Listen to this article \u00b7 3:37 min Learn moreShare full articleJames Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday, with two of his six children at a charity event in 2023.Credit...Alex Goodlett\/Getty ImagesBy Maya SalamFeb. 11, 2026James Van Der Beek was just 20 years old when he rose to fame as the titular heartthrob on the romantic teen drama \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek.\u201d He later played memorable roles like Mox, a conflicted and idealistic second-string quarterback in the sports drama \u201cVarsity Blues,\u201d and a fictionalized version of himself in the sitcom \u201cDon\u2019t Trust the B \u2014 in Apartment 23.\u201dThe reality in his adult years, though, was that Hollywood no longer came knocking with the same urgency. He instead seemed to relish the role of family man and proud father of six, openly letting fans into his home life and becoming a \u201cdadfluencer\u201d of sorts.If you didn\u2019t already know that Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday at the age of 48 a little more than a year after announcing he had colorectal cancer, was a Xennial legend, you might not even catch that from a scroll through his profiles. They are far more family photo album than famous actor. In his bios across social media, he simply called himself some variation of \u201chusband, father, writer, professional make-believer, work in progress.\u201dOn Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, he shared humorous and touching photos and videos with his three million or so followers \u2014 whether it be birthday wishes to his brood; happy anniversary posts to his wife, Kimberly; snippets of his family\u2019s outdoor adventures; or, recently, of his youngest uncontrollably giggling as Van Der Beek made silly faces while wearing broken reading glasses.These posts, which regularly drew hundreds if not thousands of comments, were usually accompanied by lengthy and bighearted missives that often read like personal letters written directly to his loved ones.When his daughter Olivia turned 15 in September, he shared a video of her in a theatrical production.\u201cMy oldest turned 15 today, same age that Dawson was in the pilot,\u201d he started before sharing a memory of them attending her first high school football game together. \u201cKeep taking big swings, kiddo. Risk imperfection. Keep dreaming big and most importantly, be true to who you are.\u201dLast Father\u2019s Day, he posted a series of family portraits that showed him and his children beaming and laughing in a grassy field. \u201cBeing a father has been the most treasured honor of my life,\u201d he wrote in the caption. \u201cThank you to my kids for re-teaching me how to live, laugh, love, and show up in my own life and in the world.\u201dA pinned post on TikTok, from 2022, starts with a selfie video of him walking on a trail with a tot on his back and his older children trailing behind before cutting away to photos from his youth, including stills from his \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek\u201d and \u201cVarsity Blues\u201d days, with Wheatus\u2019s Y2K anthem \u201cTeenage Dirtbag\u201d playing in the background.Speaking with Good Morning America in 2023, he called fatherhood \u201cthe craziest thing I\u2019ve ever done, and it\u2019s the thing that\u2019s made me happiest.\u201d\u201cYou go for that shift from putting yourself first to other people \u2014 these little tiny humans that you love so much \u2014 being your first priority,\u201d he said. \u201cThen what you genuinely want is to take care of them, to make them feel safe, to keep them safe, to connect with them and feel that joy. Your life becomes shared, and your joys become shared joys in a really beautiful way.\u201dOn Jan. 25, in the last post before his death, he shared two photos: one of him hugging his daughter Annabel and another of his father hugging her. \u201cMy father and my daughter share a birthday today,\u201d he wrote. \u201cAt first, I thought that was all they shared \u2014 they seemed so different to me. But as the two of you have evolved, and let more of who you are shine through, I can recognize the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart.\u201dA correction was made on\u00a0Feb. 11, 2026:\u00a0An earlier version of this article misstated the age of James Van Der Beek when he first appeared in \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek.\u201d He was 20 years old, not 15.When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know at corrections@nytimes.com.Learn moreMaya Salam is an editor and reporter, focusing primarily on pop culture across genres.A version of this article appears in print on Feb. 14, 2026, Section C, Page 2 of the New York edition with the headline: In His Second Act, James Van Der Beek Starred as a Proud Papa. Order Reprints | Today\u2019s Paper | SubscribeSee more on: James van der BeekShare full articleRelated ContentAdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT",
    "ai_headline": "In His Second Act, James Van Der Beek Starred Online as a Proud Papa",
    "ai_simplified_title": "James Van Der Beek Dies, Celebrated as Proud Father",
    "ai_excerpt": "James Van Der Beek, known for 'Dawson's Creek,' died at 48. The article focuses on his later life as a father of six, highlighting his social media presence and reflections on fatherhood. It includes quotes and family photos.",
    "ai_subject_tags": [
        "Obituary",
        "James Van Der Beek",
        "Celebrity",
        "Fatherhood",
        "Social Media",
        "Cancer",
        "Pop Culture"
    ],
    "ai_context_type": "News",
    "ai_context_details": {
        "tone": "informative",
        "perspective": "neutral",
        "audience": "general",
        "credibility_indicators": [
            "fact-checked",
            "expert_quotes",
            "photographs"
        ]
    },
    "ai_source_vector": [
        0.011979334,
        0.004506299,
        -0.0040438254,
        -0.09425759,
        -0.008084827,
        -0.015723124,
        -0.011495194,
        -0.024126953,
        -0.016167311,
        -0.019831186,
        -0.011937524,
        -0.008157005,
        -0.010376676,
        0.012672982,
        0.09602148,
        0.0095794685,
        -0.0012893976,
        0.007504295,
        0.0032210809,
        0.009845281,
        -0.013340194,
        -0.011099133,
        0.011428108,
        -0.0031335661,
        -0.0036145316,
        -0.0023634825,
        0.0185013,
        -0.005737847,
        0.01891215,
        0.02621975,
        -0.021708274,
        0.031921245,
        0.0010481525,
        -0.009424319,
        -0.015655896,
        0.02786658,
        -0.0019204039,
        -0.031519607,
        -0.025712235,
        0.0020914192,
        -0.021862501,
        -0.016506849,
        -0.0071203127,
        -0.03721363,
        -0.018727833,
        -0.013084566,
        0.017477296,
        -0.012523068,
        0.023088474,
        0.007083069,
        -0.025255343,
        0.003050273,
        -0.0020587116,
        -0.16702361,
        -0.025289258,
        -0.0072455276,
        -0.006444401,
        -0.0056015817,
        -0.0107454015,
        0.017922627,
        -0.005398991,
        0.005336653,
        -0.0327031,
        -0.03599154,
        0.0021453393,
        -0.00031213614,
        0.020697394,
        -0.011654096,
        -0.023031993,
        -0.003499787,
        -0.01393716,
        -0.004867617,
        -0.0367082,
        -0.014769477,
        0.008892518,
        -0.013329587,
        -0.006519635,
        -0.0055335257,
        0.025896525,
        -0.0031717822,
        0.016351622,
        0.00048775857,
        -0.039122045,
        -0.02446974,
        -0.008460129,
        -0.029036194,
        -0.006130857,
        0.0003568031,
        0.007836655,
        0.018024407,
        0.0067005153,
        0.015337871,
        0.01943295,
        0.0013643152,
        -0.0021594246,
        0.009401087,
        -0.009463852,
        -0.003369774,
        0.01712032,
        -0.006762603,
        -0.008397149,
        -0.019443024,
        -0.002540706,
        -0.016776208,
        0.009091703,
        0.0009853939,
        -0.029541899,
        0.014223643,
        -0.013037168,
        0.024802387,
        0.002643105,
        0.016194835,
        -0.03637331,
        0.0028586409,
        0.023935614,
        -0.13929808,
        0.013483395,
        -0.006744419,
        -0.008134292,
        -0.017677361,
        0.014334356,
        -0.007822621,
        6.5507365e-6,
        0.0031225078,
        -0.014186959,
        0.027503662,
        -0.00412706,
        0.024409683,
        -0.021913953,
        0.009149113,
        -0.015414962,
        -0.031186856,
        0.012207178,
        -0.018178895,
        0.02877609,
        0.009506456,
        0.012631637,
        0.0015667558,
        -0.028055543,
        -0.0054216622,
        -0.0077542644,
        0.0041678846,
        -0.03888789,
        0.003695844,
        0.0009950857,
        0.009020506,
        -0.003988594,
        0.0014037809,
        0.0057319948,
        0.01602328,
        0.013149721,
        0.010890453,
        -0.01288492,
        0.003839112,
        0.00573563,
        -0.0098625105,
        -0.027218653,
        0.017463056,
        -0.018228505,
        0.0072059967,
        -0.005110612,
        0.025558818,
        0.04567432,
        0.038643956,
        0.027504988,
        -0.0031961205,
        0.0018852234,
        0.011872955,
        0.006306922,
        -0.005680317,
        -0.026131196,
        0.020090586,
        0.007331771,
        0.002506705,
        -0.0057206866,
        -0.0021249568,
        0.015722085,
        -0.024683688,
        -0.008353164,
        0.0058207265,
        -0.010567472,
        0.007458685,
        0.005301451,
        -0.031733233,
        -0.017055163,
        0.010198216,
        -0.013260121,
        -0.02846232,
        0.013843509,
        -0.0037608296,
        0.0013797116,
        -0.003088574,
        -0.029917115,
        -0.017419178,
        0.014081381,
        0.023416057,
        -0.010413321,
        0.0010743918,
        -0.012940167,
        0.0065073785,
        0.026848847,
        0.010539023,
        -0.0038915516,
        -0.00482676,
        0.012438159,
        -0.011103518,
        -0.0070915194,
        0.009479588,
        0.015112415,
        0.011076534,
        -0.01529033,
        0.012449349,
        0.017312333,
        0.016615923,
        0.01382076,
        -0.00955043,
        -0.010907066,
        -0.013501336,
        -0.037169207,
        -0.00025716884,
        -0.0009695193,
        -0.019837173,
        -0.010929569,
        0.0069743227,
        -0.006099597,
        -0.01544618,
        0.013202209,
        -0.00959929,
        0.00334236,
        0.004236941,
        0.016691867,
        0.008847341,
        -0.017411698,
        -0.011641909,
        -0.01963131,
        0.025508355,
        0.0154180275,
        0.009745523,
        0.009601986,
        0.015414677,
        0.0025913592,
        -0.0162673,
        0.0069459137,
        -0.0068330336,
        0.012527492,
        -0.016180933,
        -0.022552747,
        -0.00092025736,
        -0.0380722,
        -0.0102168145,
        0.007461577,
        -0.011825404,
        -0.008245544,
        -0.007903925,
        -0.005992194,
        0.013620211,
        -0.0033014808,
        -0.010250771,
        -0.012231768,
        -0.006811468,
        -0.01838353,
        -0.022363922,
        -0.014990543,
        0.0007873045,
        0.010578626,
        0.0010726969,
        -0.0020601482,
        -0.0052234246,
        -0.040131804,
        -0.010807428,
        0.01324926,
        0.028312081,
        -0.017423166,
        -0.012293713,
        0.0019485916,
        -0.013668566,
        -0.0701555,
        -0.006179396,
        -0.011410053,
        0.015101075,
        -0.027734816,
        -0.016925316,
        -0.02173982,
        0.0021724468,
        -0.02023349,
        -0.012203948,
        -0.052777458,
        0.0015007769,
        0.02082318,
        -0.0025028253,
        0.021179287,
        0.013196235,
        -0.024925798,
        0.015180704,
        0.009724288,
        -0.047027666,
        0.0018315542,
        0.008702084,
        -0.022753425,
        -0.005410312,
        0.04218778,
        0.021525951,
        0.008512939,
        0.061656974,
        -0.0005223699,
        -0.0056069093,
        0.005370218,
        -0.020037115,
        -0.007867668,
        -0.012986552,
        0.002449192,
        -0.005671512,
        -0.025832409,
        0.02445124,
        0.025902556,
        -0.016406266,
        0.012372048,
        0.015529151,
        -0.016533073,
        -0.00035456647,
        -0.029537544,
        0.0037547846,
        -0.02637876,
        -0.0054781083,
        0.032460596,
        0.007842298,
        0.011065556,
        -0.003925011,
        0.011032393,
        -0.0022127857,
        -0.0053843083,
        0.013729771,
        0.029726572,
        -0.011322822,
        0.028011752,
        0.013644623,
        -0.00439415,
        0.012698758,
        0.008121533,
        -0.0054690163,
        0.0046817944,
        -0.02307694,
        -0.021022588,
        -0.016712751,
        -0.012936144,
        0.002797169,
        -0.0041014636,
        -0.008957996,
        0.007810798,
        -0.007201042,
        -0.00040554834,
        0.012738463,
        0.021199157,
        -0.0046242755,
        -0.022257945,
        -0.012216552,
        0.009178109,
        0.00071779493,
        -0.019964471,
        0.009361489,
        0.008099775,
        -0.0013098546,
        0.0033185275,
        -0.015022093,
        0.0019879576,
        0.0057267337,
        -0.026615694,
        0.00025903963,
        0.015137363,
        -0.02615058,
        0.001062191,
        0.038156122,
        -0.012341504,
        0.020407673,
        -0.0019986213,
        -0.0006034887,
        -0.023967687,
        -0.036161773,
        0.015785022,
        0.005156179,
        0.0026856961,
        0.04010844,
        -0.011423802,
        -0.030773705,
        -0.013389619,
        0.026093226,
        0.015614647,
        -0.026774412,
        -0.0041911276,
        -0.009036629,
        0.015250479,
        0.0070525464,
        -0.01153929,
        0.0013788912,
        -1.968894e-5,
        0.012089113,
        -0.0032303166,
        0.0038212875,
        0.017790444,
        0.006671679,
        0.003146078,
        -0.0044143395,
        -0.005595732,
        -0.015167998,
        -0.011533669,
        -0.03128987,
        0.005538549,
        -0.014872415,
        -0.033219393,
        -0.013090139,
        0.029920751,
        -0.019786878,
        0.03868688,
        -0.00804184,
        -0.0074552135,
        -0.009555355,
        -0.01882978,
        -0.023403116,
        0.00089105836,
        0.008518981,
        -0.0001327622,
        0.021703407,
        -0.008061595,
        0.014231327,
        0.0129729975,
        0.014921266,
        0.0071726083,
        -0.028883874,
        0.036343664,
        -0.014392315,
        -0.008858468,
        0.018278122,
        0.009183774,
        -0.027441736,
        0.009240536,
        -0.018191734,
        -0.007266808,
        -0.034109447,
        0.013603057,
        -0.017608056,
        0.009480291,
        0.025257356,
        0.0111684175,
        0.0033512479,
        0.034226377,
        -0.012929196,
        0.016343994,
        -0.0074587762,
        -0.05333247,
        0.023874512,
        -0.0007757899,
        -0.003774418,
        0.023932377,
        -0.012535359,
        0.02535165,
        0.0056391223,
        0.01945253,
        -0.020849595,
        -0.025009073,
        -0.011743639,
        0.0070995498,
        -0.028669441,
        0.0029863785,
        -0.028564569,
        -0.011282919,
        -0.03207557,
        -0.0234922,
        -0.012519518,
        0.020315278,
        0.008310676,
        0.009372108,
        0.010073881,
        -0.005908075,
        0.027682941,
        0.0018414493,
        -0.02206115,
        -0.014766548,
        -0.04472094,
        0.0077889636,
        0.012401466,
        -0.0036119951,
        0.022376288,
        0.008233443,
        0.04362929,
        0.016657999,
        0.023045113,
        0.015391401,
        -0.01895493,
        -0.0033328284,
        -0.009537357,
        0.011063363,
        0.025372084,
        -6.0673003e-5,
        -0.0024736268,
        -0.020208245,
        -0.029721528,
        0.043793593,
        0.0020867304,
        -0.008050987,
        0.0050272862,
        0.01120802,
        -0.009810226,
        -0.0003561929,
        -0.024310783,
        0.017770667,
        0.012079126,
        0.01171569,
        -0.016395466,
        -0.003306736,
        -0.012280533,
        -0.009264771,
        0.0016795207,
        0.008578586,
        -0.027971817,
        -0.0052197054,
        -0.008643664,
        -0.00838603,
        -0.018290062,
        -0.031104676,
        -0.03992964,
        -0.016087856,
        0.009521882,
        -0.033293523,
        0.034543235,
        0.012138908,
        0.006703539,
        0.015591532,
        0.012075198,
        0.0053109312,
        -0.018332217,
        -0.0050392747,
        0.010017996,
        0.0023788954,
        0.0024158047,
        -0.0015523471,
        0.013419234,
        -0.0016602431,
        0.03433613,
        0.039542742,
        0.02380537,
        -0.004072636,
        0.01009942,
        -0.039867867,
        0.012310707,
        -0.0011109766,
        -0.07975742,
        -0.012090034,
        -0.01940818,
        -0.017831868,
        -0.019705834,
        -0.0033882333,
        -0.0156229595,
        -0.00091865705,
        -0.007780654,
        0.011230528,
        -0.010168755,
        0.02711757,
        0.007882908,
        -0.023522438,
        -0.002375506,
        -0.01122071,
        0.011732106,
        -0.003655467,
        0.0060309176,
        -0.009478875,
        -0.015316306,
        0.0049929405,
        -0.023100572,
        0.005460728,
        0.0027347119,
        -0.005373245,
        0.016298212,
        -0.020694263,
        -0.022986973,
        0.00012477124,
        -0.027891243,
        -0.032872666,
        0.00016596871,
        0.03213642,
        0.014240693,
        -0.011105652,
        0.018488137,
        -0.03051895,
        -0.0031008404,
        -0.008796683,
        0.0077403695,
        -0.012444444,
        0.0013952112,
        -0.0004982115,
        -0.012649273,
        -8.829768e-5,
        0.012378813,
        -0.0063366937,
        0.01822154,
        -0.0040723355,
        -0.0070268167,
        0.0021056319,
        -0.0077421316,
        -0.011408127,
        0.032562375,
        0.0056297085,
        0.014205862,
        0.0008272316,
        -0.020266201,
        0.033729833,
        0.0044370526,
        0.00589781,
        0.018197268,
        0.011432174,
        -0.021650134,
        0.01869996,
        -0.0014115286,
        0.018488223,
        -0.005628724,
        -0.005028638,
        0.014081891,
        0.0052997977,
        0.0038820633,
        0.0086041335,
        -0.0019769238,
        -0.0077447686,
        0.0033876405,
        0.040191352,
        0.03693167,
        -0.030652208,
        -0.022556981,
        -0.0063307406,
        -0.059706934,
        0.0011523718,
        -0.015142907,
        -0.02203258,
        0.004133891,
        -0.0098369215,
        -0.011376223,
        0.02014071,
        -0.015861005,
        0.036026258,
        0.018675385,
        -0.011587615,
        0.029418603,
        -0.0105401995,
        0.009954805,
        -0.0006021884,
        0.022230411,
        -0.016163474,
        -0.015767455,
        0.0073651606,
        -0.0013966861,
        -0.01448748,
        -0.016764803,
        0.0102458345,
        0.008291486,
        0.012806843,
        -0.016795129,
        0.0125256125,
        -0.0046099657,
        0.0010724543,
        0.0043268194,
        -0.16674188,
        -0.012470818,
        -0.008814593,
        0.013124462,
        0.019568846,
        0.017755194,
        -0.003816761,
        0.030470463,
        -0.029259909,
        0.003108586,
        -0.016071564,
        0.0061921882,
        -0.032160502,
        0.017286269,
        0.003906409,
        0.12238919,
        0.00921115,
        0.017015833,
        -0.025809959,
        -0.043305956,
        0.01030342,
        -0.0023400215,
        0.0043776724,
        -0.0074986843,
        0.0037070268,
        -0.01380055,
        0.009358307,
        5.3925614e-5,
        0.006321378,
        0.034906376,
        0.030152325,
        0.01648393,
        -0.021372039,
        -0.008836642,
        -0.015228691,
        -0.008674695,
        0.014571989,
        -0.0066080135,
        0.006387063,
        0.004210672,
        0.015930586,
        0.03937232,
        0.040418275,
        -0.028438838,
        0.013730406,
        -0.019257378,
        -0.0052489284,
        -0.009196886,
        0.008863387,
        0.017114837,
        -0.021804396,
        -0.06537924,
        0.025252096,
        0.010990053,
        -0.0010451018,
        0.0071523055,
        -0.020898296,
        -0.00051676127,
        0.002686457,
        -0.0225913,
        0.02779511,
        -0.011976995,
        0.0040695406,
        0.028609363,
        -0.012597107,
        -0.00552676,
        0.011125893,
        0.0012093924,
        0.009973698,
        0.011358727,
        -0.0036034205,
        0.0115159415,
        -0.0072967615,
        -0.009961383,
        0.0035664965,
        0.02771694,
        -0.0046489877,
        0.015443663,
        0.03188358,
        -0.007725597,
        -0.023294125,
        0.00871796,
        -0.009621858,
        0.0025130722,
        0.008755069,
        0.008481173,
        0.015356988,
        -0.024845649,
        -0.018286686,
        -0.010999404,
        0.028148057,
        0.0098183695,
        0.012274734,
        0.0012615098,
        -0.0126977675,
        -0.0064195106,
        0.0048689586,
        0.022327784,
        0.0008077342,
        0.015897052,
        0.0060437536,
        -0.006192045,
        -0.009215638,
        0.009983719,
        0.025529377,
        -0.0055468366,
        0.014722524,
        -0.0049875793,
        0.019828293,
        -0.0125375
    ],
    "ai_confidence_score": 0.9999999999999999,
    "ai_extraction_metadata": {
        "extracted_at": "2026-02-15T17:05:27.259308Z",
        "ai_model": "gemini-2.0-flash-lite",
        "extraction_method": "automated",
        "content_length": 5103,
        "url": "https:\/\/nytimes.com\/2026\/02\/11\/arts\/television\/james-van-der-beek-dad-kids.html",
        "existing_metadata": {
            "author_name": null,
            "published_at": null,
            "domain_name": null,
            "site_name": null,
            "section": null,
            "publisher": null
        }
    }
}

{
    "extracted_at": "2026-02-15T17:05:27.259308Z",
    "ai_model": "gemini-2.0-flash-lite",
    "extraction_method": "automated",
    "content_length": 5103,
    "url": "https:\/\/nytimes.com\/2026\/02\/11\/arts\/television\/james-van-der-beek-dad-kids.html",
    "existing_metadata": {
        "author_name": null,
        "published_at": null,
        "domain_name": null,
        "site_name": null,
        "section": null,
        "publisher": null
    }
}